The Lower Merion Library System is currently accepting applications for a Member-At-Large to serve on the system’s Board of Directors.
This is an important volunteer position requiring a minimum time commitment of one evening in person per month and participation in other subcommittee tasks as needed.
The Library System is designated by the Township of Lower Merion to act as the township’s agent to provide library services for residents. Board directors are responsible for policymaking, stewardship, and long-range planning for the six members: Ardmore, Bala Cynwyd, Belmont Hills, Gladwyne, Ludington and Penn Wynne Libraries.
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a resume and letter of interest to the President of the Board of Directors, Lower Merion Library System, at jdeangelis@lowermerion.org or mail to 75 East Lancaster Avenue, Ardmore, PA 19003.
The deadline to submit resumes is Monday, December 16, 2024.
Gladwyne, PA – The Gladwyne Free Library is thrilled to announce that it has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative to support its upcoming project, “Literacy and Liberty: Empowering Revolutionary Change through Collaborative Art and Public Libraries” in celebration of the Our Nation’s Semiquincentennial. This initiative aims to host year-long events that will feature lectures and workshops for all ages, active and passive programming, as well as hybrid and accessible events.
“Literacy and Liberty” will have a diverse representation of artists and lecturers, who plan to acknowledge and honor the distinctive stories of the American experience, specifically those of Philadelphia-area natives. An Artist-in-Residence Program that will enrich our community's cultural landscape and provide a valuable platform for local artists to connect with their audience. By educating ourselves on the past and present of our nation and libraries as community centers, we can better understand our place in the world and work towards a brighter future.
“This grant is an incredible opportunity for the Gladwyne Free Library,” said Alicemarie Collins, Head Librarian of the Gladwyne Free Library. “We are grateful to the Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for their support and belief in our mission. This project will not only enhance our offerings but will also inspire our community to reflect on the history of our country and the value of literacy in our lives.”
The “Literacy and Liberty” project will run from January 2026 to December 2026. A total of four artists- in- residence will be selected via an application process beginning in July 2025. The program will culminate with an exhibition featuring collaborative art pieces created throughout the program.
“We invite everyone to join us in this celebration of our nation’s history and the critical role that literacy plays in shaping our future,” Alicemarie Collins added. “Together, we can empower each other through knowledge and understanding.”
For more information about the “Literacy and Liberty” project and upcoming events, please visit the Gladwyne Free Library’s website at lmls.org/gladwyne or contact the library at gladwynelibrary@lmls.org.
### About Gladwyne Free Library
The Gladwyne Free Library is committed to providing the community with access to a wealth of resources, educational programs, and cultural enrichment opportunities. With a focus on fostering a love of reading and lifelong learning, the library serves as a vital hub for all who seek knowledge and connection within the community.
### About Philadelphia Funder Collaborative
The Philadelphia Funder Collaborative for the Semiquincentennial exists to support Philadelphia-area programs celebrating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Philadelphia has long enjoyed pride of place for the observation of major national milestones. The Centennial of 1876 was a massive success, attracting more than 10 million visitors to Philadelphia. We hope to build on that proud legacy by providing financial support to eligible nonprofits that are planning and hosting programs related to the 2026 commemorations.
Following the nonpartisan Educating for American Democracy framework, which has been funded and endorsed by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Department of Education, the Collaborative intends to approach this grant making from a posture of “reflective patriotism.” This posture seeks to better understand and celebrate the nation’s founding ideals; to acknowledge the times the nation has failed to uphold those ideals; and to recognize the many individuals who have helped move the nation toward the realization of its founding ideals.